Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ category

Update on DDOT’s North/South Bike Lane Project

January 31, 2021

DDOT staff presented updates of their plans for protected bike lanes on Park Place, Warder Street, and Kenyon Street at the January 26th ANC1A Transportation Committee meeting. During the meeting they were able to share updated plans for Park Place and Kenyon Street specifically, but are still working on new plans for Warder Street. As such, they were only able to discuss Warder in general terms. The discussion centered on Kenyon Street primarily focused on updates to the current configuration for the 400 block of the street intended to improve safety, but also showed a very early concept to extend the bike lanes west to Georgia Avenue.

DDOT is currently wrapping up their 30% plan design, with the project projected to be at the 60% design phase in late spring or early summer. DDOT hopes to have the plan 100% completed by next winter. Their goal is to begin work on the project as soon as weather permits in the spring of 2022.

One of three design concepts DDOT shared for the redesign of Park Place, NW. This view is looking south of Park Place from Princeton Place.

Based on the updated plans that were shared, DDOT is planning to incorporate strategic bulb outs along Park Place to improve intersection safety at several locations, including Park Place minor, Otis Place, Newton Place, and Luray Place. They also are planning to include about 10 new street trees on both Park Place and Warder Street, though specific locations have not yet been selected.

For Park Place, there was some conversation on whether or not the east side of the street should be a protected bike lane and include additional parking, or if instead of parking it should have an on-grade walking path. While there is interest in the walking path option, DDOT was clear that they are still exploring this option and not certain that they could do it.

Detail from the Park Place design set, showing proposed street configuration and bump outs at Park Place (right) and Otis (left).

Lastly, DDOT is agreeable to making Park Road a one-way street. Based on the conversation it appears that the street would be one-way east-bound. This would also allow for double-sided on-street parking along Park Road between Georgia Avenue and Park Place. A contraflow bike lane would also be a part of this configuration.

Residents who have specific questions about this project are requested to communicate to DDOT through their ANC commissions as the fastest way to receive feedback.

You can see the full plan sets presented at the meeting at the following links.

30% Park Place Plan set (January 2021)

30% Kenyon Street Plan set (January 2021)

Community Conversation on North-South Bike Lanes Scheduled for Thursday, November 12th

November 9, 2020

ANC 1A is hosting a special virtual public information and feedback forum with DDOT representatives regarding the ongoing Crosstown transportation project on Thursday, November 12th. The webinar will focus on the north/south portions of the bike lane project in Park View along Warder Street and Park Place, with future meetings to focus on westward expansion.  

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, beginning at 7 pm. There are three ways to join:

Bicycle lanes were first installed on 5th Street NW/Park Place NW and 7th Street NW/Warder Street NW between 2006 and 2010. However, many in the community have requested protected bike lanes in this portion of the project. DDOT’s Crosstown project provides an opportunity to reassess the existing street design of Park Place NW, Warder Street NW, 7th Street NW, and 5th Street NW to examine design options for protected bicycle lanes.

In order to balance competing needs for public space and to address streetscape and safety issues, ANC1A has requested DDOT consider making Park Road a one-way street to allow for parking on both sides of the street and to consider strategic curb bulb outs for street trees and to improve crosswalk safety.

More information about this project is located at https://www.dccycletrack.com/crosstown

DPW Reverses Course — Leaf Collection to Remain Unchanged this Year

November 5, 2020

Earlier this season, Mayor Bowser announced that the Department of Public Works would not be collecting leaves as in past years. Instead DPW planned to give every household they served bags in which to bag leaves for collection. While this plan was reportedly due to public health concerns related to COVID, it did not provide a solution for residents who do not live in residential properties.

Last week, the District changed course and decided to instead move forward with leaf collection unchanged from previous years. Bags are no longer needed. As of October 31, residents are being asked to rake their
leaves and place them in the front of their residence at the curb or in the tree box for collection.

Below is the map that shows the four collection areas in Ward 1. Park View residents live in Zone C. The collection schedule for Zone C is as follows:

  • Rake leaves out by November 22 for collection between November 23 to 28.
  • Rake leaves out by December 27 for collection between December 28 to January 2, 2021.

This is the Last Day to Get Counted for the Census!

October 15, 2020

Today is the  LAST DAY to  participate in the 2020 census!

Here’s how you  can make sure you are counted:

  • ONLINE at 2020Census.gov by October 15, 2020 at 11:59 pm
  • BY PHONE at 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish) through October 15
  • PAPER census questionnaires must be postmarked by October 15
  • OPEN your door to a US Census taker.

YOU MATTER, GET COUNTED

Reduced Metrobus Service Levels and Hours on Table as WMATA Addresses COVID-19 Budget Impacts

October 12, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has cost Metro hundreds of millions of dollars, and six months after the pandemic began, ridership remains extremely low. According to WMATA, the combined ridership on Metrorail and Metrobus in September 2020 was down nearly 80% from pre-pandemic levels. To address this WMATA has implemented systemwide reductions in service levels and hours. Go to the WMATA Website for details.

Budget impact notice posted at a bus stop on Rock Creek Church Road

To get public feedback related to service reductions, WMATA has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, October 13th and is accepting writing feedback by 9 a.m. Monday, October 19, 2020. You can take a survey and provide written feedback here, and click here to learn about ways to participate in the public hearing.

While many of the changes have a limited impact on Park View residents, that can’t be said for the crosstown bus service.

The H2, H4, and H8 lines all have reduced weekday service adjustments, and the H8 also has reduced Saturday service. While these bus routes typically do not have the same high volume of ridership as the north-south routes on Georgia Avenue, 14th Street, and 16th Street, the crosstown travel has long been a challenge for many and those who rely on these routes really don’t have good alternatives to them.

The H8 connections Mt. Pleasant, Brookland and Rhode Island Avenue, and perhaps more critically the H2 & H4 routes connect Metrorail riders and various communities with the Washington Hospital Center. Below is a general map showing the H2, H4, & H8 routes.

H2, H4, & H8 bus routes where service was reduced due to COVID-19 impacts.

You can also watch the 9 min. video below in addition to checking out the WMATA Website.

Redeveloping Park Morton: Where do things stand?

September 28, 2020

A lot has happened since the beginning of the year related to redeveloping Park Morton. Some of it is positive, some of it is disappointing, and much of it is causing confusion and angst throughout the community. As the overall redevelopment of Park Morton is complex, split over two sites, and is a mix of local and federal jurisdictions this post will attempt to provide an overview of where things stand and next steps.

The Bruce-Monroe Site

The development for the Bruce-Monroe Site as approved by the Zoning Commission.

As many may remember, the temporary park space that was once the site of the Bruce-Monroe Elementary School located on Georgia Avenue between Irving Street and Columbia Road was selected as the original “Build-First” site for the Park Morton redevelopment.

The Bruce Monroe portion of the project is particularly significant because it would provide 273 affordable units, including 189 in an apartment building, 76 in a senior building, and eight townhomes. Of the 273 units, 90 would be replacement apartments for Park Morton residents. The remaining 109 units would be affordable at 60 percent of the median family income, while 70 would be market-rate. The site would also create a permanent 1-acre park along Columbia Road. (more…)

DC Census Participation Lagging, Participation Critical for COVID-19 Recoveray Assistance

April 27, 2020

National Census Day was on April 1st, yet many residents in DC still have not taken the Census. In fact, the percentage of households that have taken the Census as of April 24, 2020, is 49.9%, which is behind the national count of 52.8%.

Map of DC showing Census response rates by Census Tract.

In Ward 1, while the response in some census tracts is above the citywide average (especially true for neighborhoods west of 16th Street), several census tract counts are significantly behind. It is important for every single resident to be counted for many reason – significant reasons being that the Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year for roads, schools, hospitals, fire departments, and school lunch programs – including federal spending related to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts.

Ward 1 Census response as of April 24, 2020

Below is the data for Ward 1 census tracts. I have bolded the response rates below the citywide average. I have also indicated tracts by ANC and neighborhood to help identify where these tracts are located. The following map will also help.

Map showing the location of census tracts in Ward 1.

The current citywide response rate is 49.9%

  • Tract 27.02 – 54.7% (ANC1D) – Mt. Pleasant
  • Tract 27.03 – 57.1% (ANC1D) – Mt. Pleasant
  • Tract 27.04 – 44.4% (ANC1D) – Mt. Pleasant
  • Tract 28.01 – 52.3% (ANC1A) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 28.02 – 46.6% (ANC1A) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 29 – 50.3% (ANC1A) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 30 – 50.3% (ANC1A) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 31 – 54.8% (ANC1A) – Park View/Pleasant Plains
  • Tract 32 – 49.6% (ANC1A) – Park View
  • Tract 34 – 44.5% (ANC1B) – Howard University/LeDroit Park
  • Tract 35 – 39.6% (ANC1B) – Pleasant Plains
  • Tract 36 – 53.0% (ANC1B) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 37.01 – 51.6% (ANC1B) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 37.02 – 41.1% (ANC1B) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 38.01 – 61.6% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan
  • Tract 38.02 – 54.0% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan
  • Tract 39.01 – 58.1% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan/Lanier Heights
  • Tract 39.02 – 60.4% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan/Lanier Heights
  • Tract 40.01 – 58.1% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan/Kalorama
  • Tract 40.02 – 55.7% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan/Washington Heights
  • Tract 44.01 – 60.5% (ANC1B) — Shaw

How You can Participate

To take the census online, all you have to do is go to https://2020census.gov/en.html and answer a few questions related to the people living at your address on April 1, 2020. The list of 17 phone numbers to respond by phone (for multiple languages and TDD) can be found at https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html

Here are some important things to know before you get started.

  • EVERYONE can respond now via online or phone. You don’t need your invitation letter or unique ID code. Just put in you address at 2020census.gov
  • Hit “next” twice to skip the origin/ethnicity question if you don’t want to answer it
  • Self-response is more critical than ever during this time of social distancing
  • It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail—all without having to meet someone in person or leave your house
  • Even if a person misplaces their invitation with the unique ID, they can still self-respond by providing their address online or over the phone
  • Accurate population data will help in recovery efforts post-COVID-19
  • Filling out the 2020 Census will not impact whether you receive a stimulus check. Your answers cannot be used to impact your eligibility for any government benefits, including any potential stimulus package.

How do I follow the response rate for my neighborhood?

It is easy to get updates on how the Census is going. Here’s how:

Thank you to everyone for your participating in the Census. The few minutes you dedicate to the Census today will result in support and funding critical to our community both in the immediate future and for the next ten years!

What Kind of Washington Do You Want? March 29th Ward 1 Candidate Forum Focuses on the Comprehensive Plan

March 28, 2018

The DC Grassroots Planning Coalition has partnered with other local organizations to organize a Ward 1 Candidate Forum for this Thursday, March 29th, beginning at 7 pm. The Forum will be at Busboys and Poets on 14th Street. It should be a good opportunity to learn more more about what the Comprehensive Plan is, how it impacts every neighborhood and resident, and why this election matters. More details about the forum can be found here.

Currently, the Office of Planning and the DC Council is in the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan. I’ve been deeply engaged in these efforts beginning in 2017 when I submitted 64 amendments to the plan in the areas of:

  • Land Use
  • Transportation
  • Parks and Open Space
  • Arts & Culture
  • Historic Preservation
  • and many more.

Following the DC Council’s March 20th marathon 13+ hour hearing I also submitted written testimony, which all can read my testimony here.

 

I think this is an important time when we as a city need to figure out what kind of city we want to be. While the stakes are high and the challenges are great, I have confidence that we can get to where our city needs to be by working together.

Love to Garden and Volunteer? Plots Available at the Armed Forces Retirement Home

February 27, 2018

The garden at the Armed Forces Retirement Home provides Residents and individuals from the surrounding neighborhoods an opportunity to garden, build friendships, and have fun. The Friends of the Soldiers Home manages the garden in partnership with the AFRH.

Joining the garden entails a volunteer commitment of two hours per month and annual dues of $25 for a 200 square foot plot or $35 for 400 square feet (for experienced gardeners, subject to availability). Plots are for growing annual flowers and vegetables for household use.

Volunteer duties include helping AFRH Residents to garden and helping with events for the Residents as well as mowing, weeding, and mulching the common areas of the garden.

For more information contact Sarah Bohl at sarahtrelle(at)gmail(dot)com

DC Water Repairs Kenyon

November 13, 2017

On November 6th I reported that DC Water had permits to repair the temporary patch in the area of 513 Kenyon by December 2, 2017. In reaching out to DC Water for a follow up, I learned that they were scheduling the work to commence around November 9th. I’m happy to share that the were was completed last week before the Veterans Day holiday.